Surgical swab



0f- 25, 1943 R. M. Hol-:Y ETAL 2,333,070

SURGICAL SWAB -Filed June l2, 1940 Patented Oct. 26, 1943 faesaozof f l stmoiclir.:swan

Raymond 'MQjHoeY Chicago, and `George.Robert jOrrill, Western'- Springs, Ill., ,assignors to The Kendall CompanygChicago, ill., aricor'poration of lVIassach-usettsi Application June 12, 1940, seriairieeid'oo'z This invention .relates to the type of surgical `swab ;used for transporting small quantities of .a cleansing, antisenticwor healing liquid, which will maketheir :application ia .simple and easy matter and at the :Sametime will .preserve these liquids in their original strength and efcacy prior .totheir actualvuse.

Int-he past, swabs ,have ibeen made -by -encasf bing in'an essentiallyabsorbent fabric afglass vial drawn :out to a suitable tip, 4the portion .of the fabric .beyond :the tip .beingfformed -as -a .brush or applicator. Theytip :or brush end of the casing has in some instances been treated to render the fabric\partiallynonfabsorbent.

.in .order rto esem-1re the fabric aramid` the tu andato preventparticles ,of the tiplof .the vial from benefiting .dischargedwith the liquid contents, it

wais :necessary to tieor sew ,theabric b elow the tip lof the vial. Even with this ,method of .secur- :ing :the fabric.; there has .been .some danger .of discharging particles of Aglass into a wound `from the por-tion above the pointer :tying or sewing. This closurehas not bnlytadded .to the v,cost vof production, (but-in :the-usey f the swab the tying :or sewing has :acted as ,alblock .to the flow of the liquid, makin-grit in xmany cases .difficult or imscolaires. (C1.` 12s- 269) l ation in. the 4sizeof the Aorifice .produced when the .swab -was broken` This :has been due tojthe :fact f that there was littlecontrol over the actual .'Pont aof breakage `of the 'tapered tip, and,` depending ion hoW close to the `shoulder the actual .breakwasmadathe orifice produced wasfof larger :or-smallersize; Thus-some swabs were broken .-so that itfqwas extremelydifiicul-t toget the liquid to `wet thebrush, Iand `others were broken so that .the liquid drained frornk-the -vial ltoo rapidly for `satisfactoryapplication. .Y

With these faults of ,prior .constructions in `ini-nd,y the-nature .and importance of the improvement providedby .the 4present ,invention will be .understood from the following statement .of objects iand detailed specication. v

, i @Baumer-,t of the inventionisto provide a surgical :swab iniwhich .the rate of flow may beden- -nitely .predetermined in .accordance with the .oharacteristicsldesi-red and, will not be `dependent y'upon;-thep,oint ofbreakage .of `the tapered tip of possible to getthe .liquid to ...flow .past the closure totheextremefend of thebrush.,

, Further, since .the fabrics previously in common aise were rather .loosely Woven, knitted, .0r braided, .thus allowing a .considenableslippageof the yarns, threads, or fibres relative to eachother, -it was xdimcult :to ,prevent .the .tip of .the vial from protruding through theiabric.

This Weakness haslcaused considerable l'breakiage, has involved .the hazard of gettingglassparf ticles into .a wound, and has generally Alessened the utilityof the swab.

f The fact that many fabrics used "have retained a degree of absorbency, even though treated, has meantthat arelativelyhighpercentage of the ilu-id has 'heen absorbed by 'the fabric 'and has vnotbeen 'available for application;` `-I-f thefabric' used was treated jto render Ait completely or substantially nonLabsorbent, the rfiow through l:it tended itc :be 'so rapid that the contents flowed 'out -itoo napidly for efficient application. This Wasdue to the essentially liquid-repel1ent characteristics :of the i substance -used'ior renderingthe lmaterial .nonabsorbent. i

For the reasons stated, it has been difficult-13D provide 'a Ebrush?"iwtth the .satisfactory :characteristics forgooa now; 1

lAnother "factor acting as `an `importar-1t in-iluence lon the rate ofthe .nowhas-been the var-i- .the vial.

#general type .above ,indicated in `Which the brush for applicator portion .is formed without ,tying or sew-ing.A a `Anotherwobiect is the provision .of a `swab so constructed lthat its use involves little or no haz- Lard of glass particles (getting into the wound.

A furtherobiect is'to provide a swab in which @the dangezmof Vacc-identalbreakage of thetip or -other portions, of the glass vial is greatlylessened. i Another obiectisthe provision of a swab which is..easier and more economical to manufacture .thanprior constructions.

Still another object is. ,to .produce a type of gswab when the tip `of, lthe vial is broken, will wet thesiirface ,of the applicator and, at a predetermined, rate, supply liquid to a surface being .brushedthereby, but which will prevent yany of the liquid fromdripping off the applicator when the `swab is held stationarywith the brush gsuspended'in the air, although permitting ready .110W of ,dropslof liquid from the applicator when the Jatterisfshaken. f Y. i

Other objects and Vadv antages will kbecome apparent from the following description andtheacv:c om-panying .drawing of a, preferred embodiment .of the invention.

In said drawing: i

Fig. 1 is .an elevationalview, partly broken away .and shown-in section, of a completed swabconstructed :in accordance with .our invention; l

Figi isan elevational view ofthe vial which is the ,element ,of vthesw-ab and is adapted to have the iodine or other solution sealed therey Fig. 3 is a similar View showing the film or coating of vulcanized latex or other suitable material applied to the vial and covering all but the extreme portion of the tip;

Fig'. 4 ,isa plan v.view .of the blank ofimpregnated fabric which isuseci toform the-'casing and brush portion of the swab;

, Fig. 5 is an elevational view ofthe coated vialV with the fabric wrapped thereon, the same being" shown prior to the final formation of the brush or applicator;

Fig. 6 is a similar view ofthe completed swab viewed in a position at right angles-to that shown` in Fig. l;

Fig. rI is a fragmentary elevational and. sectional view showing a modified form of the invention; and

Fig. 8 is a similar View showing a modificationlof thefform ofdevice illustrated in Fig. 7.

' The swab shown in the drawing as an' illustra- :tive embodiment of the invention hasas its inner element ka vial I I made of glassor-o'ther suitable material and containing a quantity-of liquid i2, such as a solution of iodine `or 'other antiseptics, -which is sealedfthe'rein preferably by drawingthe vial out to a point or tip 13. Thistip may be readily broken byv pressing the same'against a table or other hard surface when it is desired to Iuse, the contents of the vial and is thus a convenientformV of construction, but ifgfor any 'reason the formation of a tip should not be desired, the vial may be formed'witha weakened area at one end or the Walls maygbe made sulficiently thin tovbreakv when pressure is applied.

l,In accordance with the form of our invention shown in Figs.;l6 inclusive,` a vcoating or jlacket ,v I4 is applied to lthe exterior ofthe vial, preferably covering vthe entire lsurface thereofwith Ythe exception of the extreme end portion of 'the'ti'p I3. The point of termination of the coating on vthe tip is indicated at, I5 in the drawing. A suitable v*coating material is a solution of latex, preferablyl vulcanized latex, which, when applied and allowed to dry, will remain intact and impervious even when the container is broken. The film maybe applied by dipping the vial in thesolution, or'by any othersuitable process. v The size of the 4 orifice in the' coating at the point I5 ,may be determinedby varying the point of termination of the filmen the tip I3 or shoulder vIIiMon rthe ytapered'end of thevial, and it will bejobserved that this'orifice remains the same after( the vbreaking of the tip as it was before so that even `if the point of breakage is within tlieiilrn',vl it .makes no difference so far as the rate of flow 'of the liquid as a preferred example of the type'pfy materials ,suitable for this purpose. j j. .After the coating HIV is applied, the vial, or a portionthereof-{is wrapped with a piece of specially impregnated fabric shown in blank form in Fig. .4- ofthe vdrawing 'and identified therein, and in Figs. l, 5 and 6,' by the reference numeralI I1,

A preferred material is gauze impregnated with a vulcanized latex solution, although other rubber-base solutions or such substances as cellulose esters and ethers, Vinyl and acrylic resins, rubber derivatives or synthetic rubber-like polymers such as those known in the trade as neoprene, Vistanex ",Perbunan and. f"Ihiokol-all preferably from aqueous dispersion might be used as Athe impregnating material if desired. The fabric should be treated so as to be cohesive and essentially non-absorbent but yet porous and with a surface which is easily Wettable by the solution from the vial when the friable portion of the latter is broken.` The degree of impregnation is lsuch that the Vsurface portions of the fabric are coated but the interstices are not completely filled, so the fabric does not become impervious.

The fabric is self-adherent and is also adherentvto the coating I4 on the vial. It may therefore be easily` and quickly rolled onto the vial and will stay in place -without the use of any other attaching means than vthe adhesive contained in -the fabric. The fabric extends beyond the end of the tip I3 andthe portions thereof beyond the shoulder IS arefpressed together to form a fan-like brush or `applicator I8 suitable for use in applying the solution? The firm adherence of these portions of the fabric prevents escape ofparticles ofthe crushed tip ofthe con- Vvtainer after it ''isbrokem l andthe impregnated fabric is stiffl enough when dry to afford substantial protection against accidental breakage ofthetip.' 'Y 5 Y Y The size of the orifice atL the point I5is preferably such that by the combined effect of atmospheric pressure and surface and/or-interfacial tension the liquid'will be prevented from dripping when the swab is, held stationary with the Lapplicator ISsuspended inV the air, but will be caused to flow katdesred rate when the swab is shaken or the applicator is brushed upon a surface to'which it isdesiredto apply the liquid.

`Said orifice is` of s uflcientlyfsmall diameter and 'of sufciently regularfform to prevent the entrance .of air therethrough into the vial unless the liquidin the vial is agitated by shaking or is drawn out by capillary action when the applicator is brushed upon the surface to betreated with the iodine or other liquid. In either of these events lair will be allowed to enter the vial to replace the liquid which leaves the same through the action just described. y

The rate of flow of the liquid to be dispensed may be varied, in accordance with the Viscosity Aof the material, by varying the size of the open- -ing at the end of the film of impervious material and/or the mesh or degree of impregnation of rthe fabric casing of the Vial, and the brush. We have found an openingy of about %4ths inch `diameter at the end of the lm of impervious material tobe suitable,.and have found that for a 31/2 tincture of iodine solution in 50% alcohol -and 50% water, `a casing consisting of six layers of Llll/40 gauze 'impregnated with about 36 grams of rubber persquare yard gives good results, while with a liquid consisting of a 31/2%-tincture of iodine solution inv 93% alcohol and 7% Water, a casing composedr of nine layers 'of-similarly impregnated gauze, at the brush end, is very satisfactory. i i

The rate of flow with solutionsbffdifferent viscosities can also' be regulated by illsing a Xed number of layers of treated fabric; at' the brush endand varying the quantity of coatingorl impregnating" 'material applied thereto,` ,thus alter- `ling the 'size of the openings inthe fabric zmesh. "Y In 4the form of'our invention vshown in Figs. I

and 8-4c`f ythe 'drawing apiece of tubing 2li made `of vulcanized `imbecior 4other Suitable material is applied to the tipf-Io the vial and the Vdiameter ofthe'outerend `of this Vtubi-ng determines the eine |`oli-"theoutlet orifice. When such .tubing is 'usedfit-4 is notfnecessary to extend `the coating I4 onto'the tipy o r, in'` fact, to use `it at all so far `as the outlet vopening is concerned, although it may nevertheless' be desirable to'fapply such coating to `ali'or la part of thbody of the Yvial to assist in forming ra bond between they` latter land `the fabric "wrappingll The tubing 2|, which, as well as the coating `III in the first-described `form of the 'irrvention,is 'intended tobe embraced Within the l'term "iacketf -u'sed incertain of the appended claiinamay` be `positioned`onthe tip I3 so that lthee'ndof thelatter p'rotrudes `beyond said tubing asshown in Fig. '1, or may extend beyond the onderti tip as shown in`Fig.` In either event theouterend of the Ituitalng should be unstretched so that an lopening of predetermined diameter vii'lillbe provided thereby when the tip is broken at a suitable point inwardly from'such yend of the tubing. The tubing should" extend far enough Vinwardly onthe tip to insure that the latter will notbembroken at a'poi'nt inwardly from said inner `'eridof the` tubing. The tubing being elastic, the inner portion thereof `will `grip the larger portion lofithe'tip `and will beheld in piace by `such "gripping action and by the self-adhesive fabric of the 'applicator I8. Furthermore, the inner end V24ofthe tubing does "not necessarily have `to be sealodVair-tightto the lvial because'when the outerportion of the tipflsbroken ythe flow of Lliquid by'capillarity will form a liquid seal be- ',tween the tubing and the base portion of the tip.

i ,advantage oi the modified form of the inyerition just described `is, that the tubing not only serves as an effective Yinea-ns of providing an outlet opening of fixed predetermined size, but, by reason of being l -e-xilrle.` facilitates they delivery 'of'liquidwhen the swab is being used as abrush, since the pressure tends to deforrnthe shape of theoriice thereby facilitating the entrance of air into "theyial gforfjthefpurpose of expelling the liquid. On the Aother hand the use of a coating extending from thel body of the vial to a predetermined point on the tip'is perhaps preferable from the standpoint of avoiding displacement in handling, although experience has indicated that neither form is subject to serious objection on this score. l l

Through the use of the type of impregnated fabric material described, it is possible to construct a swab `without sewing or tyingr operations. The material is substantially non-absorbent, thus 4making practically the entire contents of the container available for application. The use of extra layers of fabric over the tip end of the vial also adds a greater measure of protection aga-inst breakage during handling. and further insures against the escape of bro-ken particles of the vial.

The whole of the swab from the shoulder I6 to the end opposite the tip may be dipped in paraiiin or other suitable material, or, as illustrated, a band I9 of such material may be applied just above said shoulder I6. The purpose of this treatment isto confine the liquid to the brush, and to thereby conserve the solution and prevent staining the iingers of the user.

Around the outside of the fabric I1 which may extend substantially the full'length ofthewbody of the container I l or maylextend only 'far enough `onto the body thereof to form an effective 'bond therewith, there may be applied a suitable` label describing the contents and use of the swab.

The ideal swab is ofv simple, easily fabricated construction, which will allow the liquid to flow until the brush is wet, but without yallowing the swab to drip. The material used for the brush should be capable of retaining the particles of glass resulting when the swab tip is broken for use, and yet should absorb as small a. percentage of the liquid as possible, thus making'the maximum amount available for application. It should be possible to shake free drops ofthe liquid from the brush of the swab but, as above stated,'it should 4not drip or run when held stationary. The rate of flow of the liquid to and through thev brush should 'besubject to definite control and should be the same regardlessof the particular point in the tip where the break may occur. From the preceding description twill be seen that these desirable characteristics are present to a very high degree 'in the' swab which we -have, provided. 4

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been described for clearness `of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should `be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as possible in view of the prior art. Y

We claim: l l l. A surgical swab comprising a container having liquid therein for application' by the swab when said liquid is released from the container,`

and a casing of cohesive, self-adherent material wrapped around said container and extending beyond anendthereo'f with opposed portions of the extension pressed together and adhering to eachother to confine said end of the container within the casing and to provide an applicator yfor applying the liquid when it isreleased, said applicator rbeing wettable and suiliciently porous to permit thev liquid to pass therethrough upon appropriate manipulation of the swab but being substantially non-absorbent.

2. A surgical swab comprising a container having liquid therein for application by the swab and having a tapered tip portion at one end adapted to be broken to release the liquid for use, a nlm v l adhering to each other to coniine said end of y eachother to confine said end of th'econtainer within 'the casing and to provide an applicatorfor the liquid.

applyingl the liquid' when it is released, said applicatorbeing wettable and sufficiently porous to `permit theliquid to pass therethrough upon appropriate manipulation of the swab but` being substantially non-absorbent, and means' on said casing for conning the now of the liquid to said vapplicator'portion of the casing'material.

fl. A surgical swabl comprising a container vhaving liquid therein' for application by the swab when said liquid is released from the container, and a piece of cohesive and self-adherent, yet porous, material rolled upon said container and having a portion extending beyond an end thereof with opposed portions of the extension pressed together and adheringto each other to thereby enclose the end vof the container and form a brush or applicator for'applying the liquid, said applicator being` of such rtexture and number of layers and being so treated as to provide predetermined porosity in accordance with'the rate of `flow'desired during the application of the liquid thereby but being substantially'non-absorbent.

f `5. A surgical swab comprising a container having liquid therein for application ybythe-swab wheny said liquid is released from the container, a iilm of cohesive material coated onto said-container, and a piece of cohesive and self-adherent,

yet-porous, material rolled upon said container v and' adhering to the iilm or coating thereon and having a portion extending beyond` an end thereof with opposed portions of the extension pressed together and adhering to each other to thereby enclose the end of the container andform a brush or applicator for applying theA liquid;

6. A surgical swabcomprising a container having liquid therein for application by the swab andr having a tip portion at one end adapted to be broken kto release the lliquid for use, and a piece of cohesive and self-adherent, yet porous, material'rolled upon and adhering to said container and having a portion extending beyond sra-id tipped end thereof with opposedV portions of the extension pressed together and adhering to each other to thereby securely confine the tip therein after as well as before the same is broken and to form a brush or applicator for applying "7. A surgical swab comprising a container having liquid therein for application by the swab and having a tip portionat one end adapted to be broken to release the liquid for use, a nlm of lcohesive material on said container terminating at a predetermined point on said tip, and a piece of cohesive and self-adherent, yet porous, material wrapped gupon said container, saidmaterial being adherent to said film and being thus secured to the container, a part of said material extending beyond the tipped end ofthe container withv opposed portionsy of Vthe extension pressed together and adhering to each other to thereby securely confine the tip therein after as well as before the same is broken and to form a brus or applicator for applying the liquid.

8. A surgical swab comprising a containerfhaving liquid therein for application by the swab and `having a portion adapted to be broken to release 'and holding the latter in place on the container.

9. A surgical swab comprising a lcontainer having liquid'therein for application Vby the swab when said liquid is released from the container, and a piece of `cohesive and self-adherent, `yet porous, material rolled upon said container and having a portion extending-beyond an end thereof with opposed portions of the extension pressed together and adheringto each other to thereby enclose the end of the container and form a brush or applicator for applying the liquid, said applicator being fan-shaped with a-narrow outer edge the material VofV said applicatorbeing wettable but substantially non-absorbent.

RAYMOND M. HoE'r.V G; ROBERT ORRILL. 

